Shaimiev Comments On Zadornov AppointmentThe president of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, said in an interview with Interfax-Eurasia on 26 May that the job that lies ahead for Sergei Stepashin won't be easy because the current situation in Russia requires a continuation of reforms, not simply stabilization. Commenting on the appointment of Mikhail Zadornov as first deputy prime minister, Shaimiev said Zadornov is a person prepared for the work required in that post. At the same time, Shaimiev said problems always seem to appear when two first deputy premiers are named. He said such a situation makes it difficult for a consensus to be made on a mode of action.

Moscow Minister To Become KamAZ Council Chairman?The council of directors of the KamAZ truck concern met behind closed doors on 26 May in Kazan to discuss a restructuring of the company's debt and the possibility of naming a new director, Tatar television reported. The main change debated was the possibility of naming Andrei Shapovalyants, Russia's acting economics minister and Moscow's manager of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development funds, as chairman of the KamAZ Council of Directors. Such an appointment was first discussed at a meeting of Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev, First Deputy Premier Ravil Muratov, and Shapovalyants earlier this month in Moscow. A final decision will be made at the annual KamAZ shareholders meeting on 30 June in Chally.

State Council Changes Tatarstan's Electoral Laws...Tatarstan's State Council on 26 May passed on first reading a package of draft laws that will change the republic's electoral system. Deputies adopted bills that will amend Tatarstan's Constitution, alter laws on the election of deputies from Tatarstan as well as the election of local officials. The council also decided to hold the election of State Duma deputies on the same day as voting for Tatarstan's State Council and local government posts, tentatively scheduled for December. Under current law, the mandate of Tatarstan's republican deputies should expire in April, but new legislation will end their terms in December.

Several draft laws aimed at regulating tax legislation were adopted as well. Deputies also confirmed the candidacies of Marat Akhmetov as deputy prime minister and minister of agriculture; Sergei Kagogin as deputy prime minister and minister of economics and industry; and Valerii Vasilyev as the chairman of the State Property Committee, Tatar radio and television reported.

...To The Dismay Of Communists And Liberal DemocratsA demonstration against the simultaneous holding of State Duma and republican general elections was held on 26 May in front of the parliament building in Kazan. Several dozen members of the Communist Party and Vladimir Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic party participated in the action. They argued that if the national and republican polls are held on different days, as was previously done, candidates who fail to gain election to the State Duma can run for a seat in Tatarstan's State Council. The president of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, said that holding the elections on the same day was important for financial reasons, i.e., it reduces the costs associated with holding an election, Tatar radio reported. Shaimiev added that two elections campaigns and separate voting days held in a short period of time would add unneeded pressure on the electorate.